Luol Deng Foundation’s main mission is to provide means for Africa’s children and adults alike
with access to the most basic human needs from shelter to water, and health to education.

“I want to congratulate Luol Deng on being honoured with this award. In a word rife with conflict, one of our most important obligations is to look after the innocent victims of war, including those who are forced to flee their homes as refugees – and few understand this better than Luol. His dedication to bringing hope to millions of children living as refugees in Sudan and around the world is an inspiration, as is Luol’s own life itself. Both on and off the court, Luol sets a standard of excellence and service that all Americans can look to for inspiration.

Growing up and at a very young age Luol and his family were forced to immigrate to neighbouring country Egypt, to escape the 2nd Sudanese civil war. Whilst here Luol and family met Manute Bol a former NBA player. Manute became like a mentor to Luol as his interest in basketball grew.

After being granted political asylum the family found base in South Norwood of London, there family home till this day. Deng, considered a natural talent in sport, showed versatility and began to shine in both soccer and basketball. He was later approached and asked to join the u15 teams in both sport. His love for basketball grew more as he joined the Brixton Topcats basketball squad in and began to train day and night to further his career in the sport.

In 1998, at just 13 he was named MVP of the junior men’s qualifying tournament leading England to the finals and averaging 34 points.

In 1999, Aged 14, the decision was made for Luol to pursue his dreams in the USA, he attended Blair academy, New Jersey. During his 2nd year he was considered the 2nd most promising high school senior player in America, after Lebron James.

After graduation he chose to attend Duke College and became only the 10th freshman in history to lead all rookies in scoring, rebounding and field goals.

In 2004 he was entered into the NBA draft and although picked seventh by the Pheonix Suns was immediately transferred over to the Chicago bulls, a team he had dreamed of playing for. Despite suffering wrist injuries, he was still picked for the NBA all rookie first team after his first season of NBA basketball, despite his season was ended early by the injury.

He was able to become a recognised British citizen in 2006, in a ceremony near his home in London.

In 2006-07 basketball season, Deng was the only player to start all 82 season games for the Bulls.

On the 26th of March 2007 Deng hit a new career high with 38 points against the Portland Trail Blazers!

Now that Luol has reached many of his goals in life and achieved some success he has set new goals which lie in humanitarian work. He has aspirations to create opportunity and hope for Sudanese youths who are in similar situations that he was once in. He has been involved in many fundraisers and spoken at political rallies.

In 2006 and 2007 Luol travelled with the NBA on their annual Basketball Without Borders Tour which travels for tournaments in third world countries.

The Luol Deng foundation works in relationship with many projects run by the UNHCR helping to better the lives of displaced figures in Africa. More specifically Southern Sudan.

In 2007 a reading and learning centre was incorporated into Victor Herbert elementary school, Chicago, by Luol Deng and the Chicago Bulls. Luol made provisions for a room in the school to be refurbished for this.

On March 18th 2008 Luol stated that he would donate ‘$50 a basket’ for every one of his baskets made until the end of the season for the ‘Nothing but Nets’ campaign. He then became a national spokesperson for the UNHCR campaign as he acknowledged the importance of such commodities in helping save lives.

In November of 2006 and 2008 Luol helped to serve and provide Thanks Giving dinner to 843 guests and homeless beings as part of the Pacific Garden Mission.

On January 1st of 2009 Luol hosted the ‘Hope for Sudan’ celebration for the ‘Lost Boys of Sudan’, a Sudanese comprehensive peace agreement anniversary.

Last year he was nominated for the UNHCR Humanitarian of the Year Award and has again been nominated this year (2009).

Birth Date: 16 April, 1985
Age: 24
Birth Place: Wau, Sudan
Hometown: London, England
Club: Chicago Bulls
College: Duke University
National: Team Great Britain
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’ 9” (2.06 m)
Weight: 220 (100 kg)

· Drafted in 2004, 1st Round, 7th Overall Pick by the Phoenix Suns
· 2004 Rocky Mountain Revue All-Tournament Team
· 2005 Got Milk? Rookie Challenge Team
· 2004-05 NBA All-Rookie First Team
· 2006-07 NBA Sportsmanship Award

· 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference All-Rookie Team
· 2004 Third Team All-ACC
· 2004 NCAA Atlanta Region Most Outstanding Player
· 2004 Associated Press Collegiate All-American (Honourable Mention)
· Selected National All-Freshman Team by Basketball Times, Collegeinsider.com and Rivals.com

· 2003 McDonald’s High School All-American
· 2003 Brand Jordan All-American
· 2003 Parade All-American
· 2003 USA Today All-USA 1st Team
· One of 10 finalists for the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award
· Rated No.2 of Top 100 High School Basketball Players

· World Food Programme, Spokesperson
· NineMillion.org, Spokesman
· Nothing But Nets, Spokesperson
· London 2010 Olympics Games, Ambassador
· NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Tour of Africa, Europe and Asia
· “Hope for Sudan” Holiday Celebration for the “Lost Boys of Sudan”
· Annual Luol Deng Thanksgiving Dinner at Mission Gospel League Home
· Annual Chicago Housing Authority’s Holiday Party
· 2006 Charles Lubin Award for Dedication to Community Service
· 2006-07 Golden Icon Award for Best Sports Role Model
· 2007 NBA Community Assist Award
· 2008 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Humanitarian of the Year Award
· 2009 Jeanne and Joseph Sullivan Award for Promotion and Protection of Human Rights